"Our first diplomatic move in the southwestern Pacific is to ensure that all countries in the region respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country," the President said
Darwin (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said that Australia had reiterated its support for the integrity of the Indonesian territory.

"Our first diplomatic move in the southwestern Pacific is to ensure that all countries in the region respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country," the President said shortly before leaving for Indonesia`s East Nusa Tenggara province on Wednesday.

Under the agreement signed by the two countries in 2005, Australia fully committed itself to recognize and respect the territorial integrity of the Unitary Republic of Indonesia, he said.

The agreement had since then served as one of the bases for the realization of cooperation between the two neighboring countries, he added.

"We have signed the Lombok Treaty as a reference of our cooperation in the realms of defense and security. In principle, the treaty is a form of Australia`s support to the sovereignty and integrity of our territory. As such, once again, from the geopolitical standpoint, friendly countries really respect, support and recognize our state sovereignty," he said.

Earlier, during a meeting with the Indonesian leader, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard had said that Australia was fully committed to supporting and respecting the integrity of the Indonesian territory.

"Even if I did not ask her, the Australian prime minister expressed her country`s full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country, and so did Chief Minister Paul Henderson, regardless of a small demonstration on July 2," he said.

President Yudhoyono arrived in Darwin on Monday for a three-day visit during which he held a meeting with Prime Minister Gillard at the Northern Territory`s Parliament House on Tuesday.

The meeting was a follow-up to the first Indonesia-Australia Annual Leaders` Meeting held in the Indonesian resort island of Bali on November 20, 2011.

The President and entourage including First Lady Ani Yudhoyono are scheduled to return home on Thursday.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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